Game Thread #24: Indiana Pacers at Washington Wizards

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7-15		4-17
December 15, 2008 - 7:00PM EST
Verizon Center
Radio: 1070AM WFNI   TV: Fox Sports Indiana
Probable starters:
T.J. Ford	PG	DeShawn Stevenson
Marquis Daniels	SG	Juan Dixon
Danny Granger	SF	Caron Butler
Troy Murphy	PF	Antawn Jamison
Roy Hibbert	C	Javale McGee

UPDATE: Bruno is LIVE! blogging the game action.

The Indiana Pacers complete was has become a grueling stretch of road games tonight when they take on the Washington Wizards. Any complaints the Pacers have will fall on deaf ears in Washington where the Wizards' season thus far has been filled with problems. After begining the season without injured star scorer, Gilbert Arenas, the lack of Wizard W's led to a recent coaching change and trade.

The Wiz can certainly match the Pacers on the scale of desperation for a W, as they check in tonight with a 4-17 record. While this is a very winnable game for the Pacers, there's no doubt the Wizards will look at the Pacers as an opportunity for a win for their side. With Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison leading the way, the Wizards have plenty of athletic talent capable of going off with the type of small lineup that has given the Pacers problems all year.

Expecting W's is not an option with the Pacers, so we are left  to expect the Pacers to bring an effort capable of producing a W and  then hope they can find the mental toughness needed to execute during critical stretches of the game. Someone, anyone has to step up, take over and end this losing streak. Take it upon themselves to say, we will win tonight. Somehow, someway I will make it happen. The team is due to show some signs of growth and maturity. No better time than the present.

Here are the Pacers.com matchups.

For a D.C. perspective, check out Bullets Forever.

Gameday Reading

• Mike Wells focuses on Roy Hibbert's return to D.C. and his likely start at center in the familar surroundings of the Verizon Center.
• HoopsWorld takes a look at the Pacers' problems so far this year.
• In case you missed it, there's some interesting reading in Bruno's LIVE! blog final from the Milwaukee game and this blog post from Mike Wells.

Leave your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments.